2023-2024 School Year Plan
(Subject to change as the pandemic needs change)
School Board Approved: March 5, 2024
WINTER 2024 Guidance
The US CDC issued this press release on March 1st, 2024 which updates the isolation guidelines for COVID-19. The update highlights that when people get sick with a respiratory virus they should stay home and away from others. For people with COVID-19 and influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness. The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and, if a fever is present, it has been gone without the use of a fever-reducing medication before returning to school. This means that there is no longer a mandated 5-days of isolation or 10-days of masking. However, the CDC does continue to encourage masking for 5-days upon return to normal activities.
Health & Safety Guidance
Staying up to date with vaccinations to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV (if eligible).
Masks – Wearing masks will be a parental choice during the school day.
Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
Symptom Check – Stay home when you are sick.
Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.
Cleaning Protocols – Custodial support will continue to allow for increased overall cleaning in the building; classroom cleaning supplies will be provided in all classrooms and staff is encouraged to clean surfaces as practical. CDC guidelines state that “cleaning once a day is usually enough to sufficiently remove potential viruses that may be on surfaces.”
Additional Considerations
Transportation – Return to pre-COVID capacity. When weather permits, windows should be opened in front and rear of the bus for increased ventilation.
Performing Arts/Music – Return to pre-COVID practices.
Parent Volunteers/Visitors (school day) – Resume volunteer program, following established protocols (including sign-in form/sheet that includes an acknowledgement form outlining safety protocols).
Meetings (in-person vs. virtual) – Continue to utilize virtual meetings on a case-by-case basis depending on meeting participants and agenda.
Extracurricular Activities (Guidelines, Planning, etc) – Follow general guidelines outlined above (i.e. same as school day); groups may wish to continue virtual meetings/events as desired or able.
Parent Conferences – In person with virtual meetings still an option.
Special Events (Open House, Parent athletic meetings, Literacy nights, School-wide gatherings, etc) – Gatherings will be held in person as long as conditions permit.
Technology Readiness – We will continue to incorporate technology in our teaching and learning in order to maintain successful platforms that were developed during COVID.
Hybrid/Remote Learning – We are not planning to offer hybrid or remote options for students.
American Rescue Package Expenditure Plan
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan package. Part of the package includes funds to support schools to ensure that we are able to fully open in September 2021. Maine DOE allocated funds to each school system that accepts federal money and RSU 68 was allocated almost $1.8 million dollars. The law requires that we set aside 20% of those funds for intervention work which is roughly $358,000.
RSU 68 has started the process of writing the ARP application. Based on information from families, school staff, and the school board/community it appears we are looking to use those funds in three ways: creating more space, supporting our ventilation, and intervention work. More information about our American Rescue Package Expenditure Plan can be seen below. A pdf version of this plan can be downloaded here.
Thank you to the RSU 68 staff, school board and community for their input in creating this plan.
Total: $1,792,929.09
20% or $358,585.82 must be spent on student interventions
RSU 68 plan spends $435,559 on student interventions
Superintendent's Office: $722,620
* Create two new classrooms in the elementary school and new furniture in classrooms and a sensory room. PURCHASE new office: $550,000 (+Architect costs for building)
New Furniture for office/mower: $35,000 (Supplies)
1 new set of furniture for each grade level: $25,000(Supplies)
Sensory Room: $20,000
Upgrade ventilation: $25,000
Create wall to divide office: $30,000- Maintenance for summer 2022 (FLOORING AND WALLS)
Roof: $534,000
Put a new roof on the MS wing: $500,000. Out to bid.(Purchased Service)
Brick work – $23,000
Fix air circulator fan in elementary art room: $10,000 (Purchased Service)
Staff and Student Communication: $110,750
*Provide hardware and software for all students
Staff laptops 20x$100 =$20,000 per year
Meraki cameras – security $30,000
Newsela for three years $5,000
Connectivity $4,500 (Purchased Service)
Upgrade internet supplies and security $50,000
Internet costs for new building $4,250
Extended School Day: $65,682
Salaries: 2 staff (one grade3-5/one 6-8) for 4 hours per week for 37 weeksX 3 years
Materials for each staff member $700 per year per staff member (Supplies)
iXL math/reading $25,000 for two years (Supplies)
Razz Kids $5,000 for two years (Supplies)
Enrichment: $72,200
Salaries: 7 teachers for 1 hour each day of summer school for three years
($45,152)Materials: STEAM $6,000. (3 years)
Book club $6,000 (3 years)
Outdoor Instruments: $10,000 (year one purchase)
Writer’s Club author: $5,000
Drama club lights $24,152
Borestone bus $5,000
Outdoor club $2000
Water for STEAM work $10,000
Water for STEAM work: $10,000. $60,000
Summer Programming: $50,872
The provides summer programming for four hours a week for four weeks (3 years). (Salaries)
Materials: $400/year per teacher X3 (9 teachers) (Supplies)
Transportation $20,000
Math Interventionist: $54,189
Provide additional support for students in grades 2-4 during the school day
1 ed tech III with specific training as a math interventionist
High Quality Tutoring: $182,615
*For students in grades 5-8 that score in the 20-30% on the NWEA in groups of no more than three
Salaries for 2 teachers for 4 hours per week for three years (Salaries)
Two programs for intervention in reading (Supplies)
Books for library to support reading (Supplies)
Busing for three years (Purchased Service) $50,000
Purchase of a new van $44,000